'Footloose,' The Musical

Matt Hamel stars in foot-tapping touring show

Published: Sunday, October 22, 2000

WILLIAM KERNSA-J Entertainment Editor

It's been 16 years since Kenny Loggins told everyone via song, "Put on your dancing shoes," while moviegoers lined up to see Kevin Bacon in director Herbert Ross' "Footloose" over and over again. Sure, it was lightweight fluff aimed primarily at teens, but the energy was indeed infectious.

Which is why Dean Pitchford pitched the same story as a possible Broadway musical.

Pitchford wrote the story, screenplay and many of the song's lyrics for the film. Collaborating with Tom Snow, who wrote "Let's Hear It for the Boy," he also came up with nine additional songs for the stage production. The stage musical "Footloose" opened on Broadway in October, 1998  and was greeted by quite a few negative reviews.

But audiences loved the film and they also kept buying tickets to see the stage musical, making "Footloose" a hit.

Matt Hamel, left, stars as Ren, the young man in "Footloose" who sets a small town on its ear by encouraging residents to express emotions via dance.

Provided by Big League Theatricals

Musical fans now are flocking to the national tour of "Footloose," which opens a four-performance engagement Friday in Lubbock.

The leading character, named Ren, is played by Matt Hamel. "Yeah, people loved the movie back in the '80s, and it still shows up about twice a week on WTBS-TV every summer," he mentioned during an interview from an Ohio hotel room. "I think people are just intrigued by it. Part of it is because it brings back old memories; it's nostalgic.

"And part of it is because it's just a fun, high energy show."

The original Broadway production was directed by Walter Bobbie, who also directed the hit revival of "Chicago." The national tour is directed and choreographed by Daniel Stewart. Hamel says there are differences.

"I remember Dan told us at the start of rehearsals, 'This is the script. This is what the show is given. It's not a phenomenal script, but there's no reason we can't have fun with this,"' said Hamel.

"And he was right. We have a lot of fun on stage, and that's probably why this tour has been earning such good reviews. We don't try to make the story more than what it is."

That story has not changed much. Ren is a teen-ager who moves with his mother to a small town. In the city, Ren loved to dance. But no one taps their feet in this new town, where the local Rev. Shaw  played by John Lithgow in the film and Tim Marten in the touring musical  dictates that dancing is an un-Christian act.

Ren rebels. He dances. The other kids soon dance. There, of course, will be a confrontation with the good reverend.

'Footloose' The Songs"Footloose"* "On Any Sunday""The Girl Gets Around"* "I Can't Stand Still""Somebody's Eyes"* "Learning to be Silent""Holding Out for a Hero"* "Heaven Help Me.""I'm Free"* "Let's Make Believe We're in Love""Let's Hear It for the Boy"* "Can You Find It in Your Heart"* "Mama Says""Almost Paradise"* "Dancing is Not a Crime"* "I Confess"

*denotes songs written for stage musical that were not featured in the 1984 film.

Touring Shows Shows: "Footloose" is the first offering in the four-play, 2000-2001 season of touring attractions being brought to Lubbock's Municipal Auditorium by Celebrity Attractions. The others are:Dec. 6-10  eight performances of Disney's "Beauty and the Beast"Jan. 26-28  four performances of "Godspell"March 20-25  eight performances of "Red, White and Tuna." Tickets: Season tickets remain available, ranging in price from a high of $179 to a low of $46 on the balcony's back two rows. Season ticket holders also will be given the first opportunity to buy tickets for this season's "bonus attraction," specifically the musical "Chicago" on April 9-10. Information: 770-2000.

A bit of irony: Hamel grew up singing and dancing in Florida, the son of a minister.

That's where the comparison ends. "My family has been supportive from the start," said the actor. "They're very understanding. I have a sister who is in the business, and our parents think the world of our careers."

Hamel, 24, studied dance at Ballet Florida, then enrolled at Palm Beach Atlantic College for further training in dance, acting and vocal performance. He knew back when he graduated from high school that he wanted to perform. "I did regional equity houses for a good four years, along with a few things throughout college," he recalled.

He moved to New York City n February, and "I auditioned for three shows the first month I was there. 'Footloose' was my third audition, and I eventually got the part."

And an eight-month contract.

The demands of "Footloose" night after night find Hamel resting each day, rather than seeking a gym in each new city. "Oh yeah, each performance is enough of a workout," he pointed out. "This is a very, very, very high energy production. It's a dance-oriented show, with Ren turning the town upside down just by dancing. And Dan's choreography is almost aerobic in nature.

"So I guess my big challenge each day is to just not get lazy. I try to rest, but I don't want to just lay around in the hotel room and eat potato chips, either. So I get out and walk a bit, try to see something of each city we visit."

Still, his is a life of uncertainty. When Hamel's contract is up, he may be re-signed for yet another leg of the "Footloose" national tour, or he may go home and start the audition process all over again.

"Considering my age, I think this is a great start for me," noted Hamel. "I consider myself very lucky, very blessed. I was in New York less than two months before I got this gig. Sure, we, as actors, always hope and pray that we won't have to wait tables.

"But then, show business always has been a knock-on-wood type of thing, right? I think it's a good niche for me."

William Kerns can be contacted at wkerns@lubbockonline.com or 766-8712.